2 syllables: Ev, il. Stress on Ev.
EE-vuhl
/ˈivəl/
Evil is pronounced EE-vuhl (/ˈivəl/). It has two syllables (Ev-il), with the stress on "Ev". Evil is a noun referring to profound immorality or malevolence; it can denote a person or thing that is morally wrong or wicked. In everyday use, it often describes extreme harm or bad intent, sometimes framed philosophically as moral evil versus natural evil. The term carries strong emotional weight and is frequently used in ethical, religious, or literary contexts.
nounEvil is a noun referring to profound immorality or malevolence; it can denote a person or thing that is morally wrong or wicked. In everyday use, it often describes extreme harm or bad intent, sometimes framed philosophically as moral evil versus natural evil. The term carries strong emotional weight and is frequently used in ethical, religious, or literary contexts.
How to Pronounce Evil
"The villain in the story embodied pure evil, threatening the kingdom's peace."
"Many cultures grapple with the problem of evil and how to respond to it."
"She sensed an evil presence lurking in the abandoned house."
Pronounce as two syllables: ˈiː.vəl. The first syllable carries the primary stress. Start with a long E as in “see,” then a light schwa for the second syllable followed by l. In IPA: US/UK/AU: ˈiː.vəl. Tip: ensure the second syllable has a clear but relaxed schwa before the final L; avoid turning it into a single-syllable “ee-vull.” Audio references: listen to pronunciations on Cambridge/Oxford dictionaries and Forvo for native speaker variants.
Common errors include: 1) Pronouncing as one syllable (evl) by collapsing the second vowel; 2) Shortening the first vowel to a lax /ɪ/ or /ɛ/ instead of the long /iː/; 3) Final consonant misarticulation of /əl/ as /l/ alone or adding extraneous vowel sounds. Correction: keep a clear two-syllable break with a long /iː/ in the first syllable, then a relaxed /ə/ before /l/. Practice: practice minimal pairs like “bevel” to stress the contrast and ensure proper breath flow so the schwa is audible.
US: stressed first syllable with a long /iː/ and a clear /v/; UK/AU: similar pattern, but vowel quality in the first syllable may be slightly tenser in British English, with a quicker transition to the / ə / before /l/. Rhoticity is not a factor here; the /r/ is not present. IPA: US/UK/AU: /ˈiː.vəl/. Accent differences are subtle; the key is maintaining the long /iː/ and the unstressed schwa before /l/.
The difficulty lies in producing two clear syllables with a long vowel in the first and a weak, unstressed second syllable that still clearly reaches the /əl/ end. Learners often flatten the second vowel or attach a vowel to the /l/ making /ˈiːvəl/ into /ˈiːvɪl/. Emphasize the glide from /iː/ to /ə/ and keep the tongue relaxed for the schwa; ensure the final /l/ is light but audible.
A key feature is the smooth two-syllable rhythm with a strong first syllable and a reduced second syllable containing a clear /ə/ before /l/. Avoid inserting an extra syllable or a fully pronounced /ɪ/ in the second syllable. Focus on forming a neat onset in the first syllable with a rounded lips for /iː/ and relaxing the jaw for the /ə/. This yields the natural US/UK/AU pronunciation /ˈiː.vəl/.
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Evil derives from the Old English word yfel, which meant ‘vile, evil, bad’ and was related to the Proto-Germanic stem ufan? actually yfelaz. The term evolved to medieval English as a catch-all for wrong, harm, and malevolence. By the 12th–14th centuries, evil took on more formal moral dimensions in theological and philosophical writing, distinguishing moral evil (intentional wrongdoing) from natural evil (suffering caused by natural processes). The modern sense solidified in early modern English, where evil described not only acts but también potent forces or persons possessing malevolent intent. The semantic field broadened to include expressions like “the evil eye,” “evil deeds,” and later, in secular discourse, myths of cosmic adversaries. The word’s moral charge remains prevalent in literature, religion, and everyday speech, often paired with adjectives like “great,” “absolute,” or “pure.” The term also appears in idioms such as “evil-doer” and phrases like “the nature of evil.” The pronunciation and meaning retain strong emotional connotations across English-speaking communities, influencing its use in commentary about ethics, law, and culture.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Evil" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Evil" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Evil"
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